Cambridge, UK 11th May 2026: DeepForm, the Cambridge-based engineering company pioneering a low-waste, low-emission approach to sheet metal pressing, today announced a leadership restructure to support its growing client base and accelerate its next phase of expansion.
Effective 11 May 2026, Paul Heard joins as Chief Executive Officer, with a remit focused on scaling the business. Heard was formerly the UK CEO of a tier-one Japanese automotive parts manufacturer, one of the world’s most respected names in press and weld production.
Founder Chris Cleaver becomes Chief Operating Officer, leading the delivery of customer projects, core IP and software products. Cleaver remains on the board and a shareholder in the business.
The appointment comes at a pivotal moment for the company. Jaguar Land Rover begins full-scale production of its first DeepForm component in Dec 2026, with further tooling programmes underway with Volvo Group. Beyond automotive, DeepForm is opening early proof-of-concept conversations in beverage can and white goods manufacturing – two further high-volume sectors where its fold-flow pressing process can dramatically cut material waste and embodied carbon.
Chris Cleaver, founder and incoming COO, said:
“DeepForm has come a long way from our early lab validations at the University of Cambridge. We’ve taken our fold-flow pressing process through to full-scale production tooling with JLR, completed proof-of-value with Volvo Group, and are now seeing real interest from manufacturers in the beverage sector too. Bringing Paul in as CEO gives us the leadership we need to scale that progress, while I focus on delivering customer projects, advancing our core IP and developing our software products.”
Paul Heard, incoming CEO, added:
“DeepForm has developed technology that the pressing industry has long accepted as unsolvable, and the commercial pull from major OEMs reflects that. After decades in tier-one press and weld manufacturing, I know how rare it is to find a technology that drops into existing production lines and delivers a step-change in material efficiency. My focus will be on scaling responsibly – deepening our automotive partnerships and opening the next wave of opportunities within other industries.”
About DeepForm
DeepForm is a Cambridge-based engineering company pioneering a low-waste, low-emission approach to sheet metal pressing. Spun out of the University of Cambridge in 2022, its patented fold-flow pressing process replaces the conventional draw stage in cold pressing, enabling up to 90% material utilisation, cutting CO₂ emissions and unlocking new design possibilities — all within existing press lines. DeepForm works with leading OEMs including Jaguar Land Rover and Volvo Group, and is expanding into beverage can and white goods manufacturing.
Media contact
Maria Monks – maria@deepform.co.uk
